Receptacle with motion damper

ABSTRACT

A receptacle having one or more lids can be provided one or more dampers configured to slow the movement of the lids from their open position toward its closed position. The lids of the receptacle can have a shape which facilitates dampening of the movement of the lids from an open position to a closed position. The lids and lid portion can have walls which are juxtaposed relative one another in a close relationship such that air briefly retained within the body when the lids are moved from an open position to a closed position.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/162,224, filed Mar. 20, 2009,which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of the Inventions

The present inventions relate to receptacles having doors or lids, someof the inventions relating to mechanisms configured to slow at least theclosing movement of the lids.

2. Description of the Related Art

Receptacles and other devices having lids or doors are used in a varietyof different settings. For example, in both residential and commercialsettings, trashcans and other devices often have lids or doors forpreventing the escape of the contents from the receptacle. In thecontext of trashcans, some trashcans include lids or doors to hide thetrash within the receptacle from view. Additionally, the lid of atrashcan helps prevent contamination from escaping from the receptacle.

Recently, trashcans with rotary-type motion dampers for slowing themotion of the lids have become commercially available. Morespecifically, these rotary dampening mechanisms are connected to thelids of the trashcans so as to slow the closing movement of the lids. Assuch, the trashcan is more aesthetically pleasing because the lid closesslowly, thereby preventing a loud slamming noise when the lid is movedto a closing position.

These types of trashcans often are pedal-actuated, i.e., they include afoot pedal which is connected to the lid for moving the lid toward theopen position. The rotary mechanisms are connected to the internallinkage connecting the foot pedal to the lid so as to slow the closingmovement of the lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includesthe realization that trash receptacles can be configured to use multipletechniques for dampening one or more movements of a lid.

Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a trashcan can comprise a bodydefining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and anupper body portion. The trashcan can further comprise a lid portionsupported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising a lidsupport having an interior peripheral wall and two lids moveably mountedto the lid support so as to be independently moveable between open andclosed positions, at least one of the lids having a generally concaveprofile. The trashcan can further comprise a first motion damperconnected to the lid portion, and a second motion damper connected tothe lid portion, wherein the first and second motion dampers areconfigured to dampen a movement of at least one of the two lids from theopen position to the closed position. At least one of the two lids cancomprise an exterior peripheral wall, the interior peripheral wall ofthe lid portion and the exterior peripheral wall of the lid beingjuxtaposed relative one another when the at least one lid is in theclosed position so as to trap air within the lid portion and dampen lidmovement when the at least one lid is moving from the open position tothe closed position.

In accordance with another embodiment, a trashcan can comprise a bodydefining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and anupper body portion. The trashcan can further comprise a lid portionsupported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising at leastone pivotable lid having a generally concave profile, each lid beingindependently moveable between open and closed positions such that thegenerally concave profile of the lid traps air within the interior spacewhen the at least one lid moves from the open position to the closedposition.

In accordance with another embodiment, a trashcan can comprise a bodydefining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and anupper body portion. The trashcan can further comprise a lid portionsupported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising at leastone lid moveably mounted to the lid portion so as to be independentlymoveable between open and closed positions, the lid portion comprisingan interior peripheral wall, and at least one of the lids comprising anexterior peripheral wall. The interior and exterior peripheral walls canbe positioned adjacent one another when the at least one lid is in theclosed position so as to trap air within the lid portion and dampen lidmovement when the at least one lid is moving from the open position tothe closed position.

In accordance with another embodiment, a trashcan can comprise a bodydefining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and anupper body portion. The trashcan can further comprise a lid portionsupported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising at leastone lid moveably mounted to the lid portion so as to be independentlymoveable between open and closed positions, the lid portion furthercomprising an air guide configured to guide air downwardly into theinterior space as the at least one lid moves from the open positiontowards the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of the inventions disclosedherein are described below with reference to the drawings of preferredembodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, butnot to limit the inventions. The drawings contain the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of a trashcan inaccordance with an embodiment, having dual lids with the lids in theirclosed position, with an exterior shell removed.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded and perspective view of the lid portion andbase portion of the trashcan illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another partial exploded and perspective view of the lidportion and base portion of the trashcan illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial, enlarged, inverted, and perspective view of a lowerside of the lid portion of the trashcan illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, inverted, exploded, and perspective view of adamping mechanism attached to the lid portion of the trashcanillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective, and cross-sectional view of thedamping mechanism and lid portion illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of the trashcanwith an optional shell.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the trashcan illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the trashcan illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of the trashcanillustrated in FIG. 7, with one of the lids in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The embodiments of a receptacle with at least one lid are all disclosedin the context of a trashcan. The inventions disclosed herein aredescribed in the context of a trashcan because they have particularutility in this context. However, the inventions disclosed herein can beused in other contexts as well, including, for example, but withoutlimitation, large commercial trashcans, doors, windows, security gates,and other larger doors or lids, as well as doors or lids for smallerdevices, such as high precision scales, computer drives, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a receptacle assembly 20. Theassembly 20 can include a body portion 22 and a lid portion 24. The bodyportion 22 can include a base portion 26 and an upper body portion 28.The base portion 26 and the upper body portion 28 can be made from asingle monolithic piece or from separate pieces connected together.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 26 can be configured tosupport the assembly 20 in a stable resting position when the assembly20 rests on a surface such as a floor, which may be smooth, or uneven.The base portion 26 can be configured to support the upper body portion28 such that the upper body portion 28 can extend upwardly from the baseportion 26.

The upper body portion 28 can include at least one container 30 whichcan be also be referred to as a “bin” or “liner”. The at least onecontainer 30 can be configured to define an interior cavity or cavities.In some embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper bodyportion 28 comprises two separate containers 30, each defining onecavity. Each of the interior cavities can be configured, for example, toreceive and/or support additional rigid trash liners (not shown). Inother embodiments, described below with reference to 7-10, an outershell can enclose the containers 30 between the base portion 26 and thelid portion 24.

In some embodiments, the containers 30 can be formed from sheet metals,such as sheet stainless steel, or other metals, or other materialsincluding plastics, etc. In some embodiments, when sheet metal is used,such as sheet stainless steel, the containers 30 can be made from any of23-26 gauge stainless sheet steel. Of course, the thinner the gaugesheet steel, the lighter and less expensive the containers 30 will be.

The lid portion 24 can comprise a lid support member 32 extendinggenerally around the periphery of the lid portion 24. The lid supportmember 32 can provide support for and be attached to at least onemoveable lid 34.

The lid portion 24 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes two moveable lids 34pivotably attached to the lid support member 32. In other embodiments, asingle moveable lid 34 can be attached, or more than two moveable lids34 can be attached. While the moveable lids 34 in FIG. 1 are attachedsuch that they both open in the same direction, in other embodiments themoveable lids 34 can be attached such that they open in oppositedirections from one another. Additionally, while the moveable lids 34are attached such that they pivot generally about a back edge of theassembly 20, in other embodiments the moveable lids 34 can be attachedand/or pivoted about different areas of the assembly 20.

The moveable lids 34 can be moveably mounted to the lid portion 24 withany known device, such as a hinge which can allow pivoting motion of themoveable lid 34, or other devices providing different movements. Theconnection between the lid or moveable lids 34 and the lid portion 24can be constructed, for example, so as to connect the moveable lids 34to the lid support member 32 or, in some embodiments, directly to theshell or shells 30.

The lid portion 24 can further comprise a handle or handles 36. Thehandles 36 can be located generally along a front portion of thereceptacle assembly 20, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, or can be placedelsewhere. The handles 36 can comprise recessed areas of the moveablelids 34, and/or protruding portions of the moveable lids 34, such thatan operator is able to grab hold of and/or contact the handles 36 tomove the moveable lids 34 from a closed position to an open position,the closed position being illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments,the handles 36 can extend from the moveable lids 34 such that a user isable to reach underneath the moveable lids 34 and lift up on the handles36 to open the moveable lids 34.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the assembly 20 can further compriseat least one damper 38. The damper 38 can be attached to the lid portion24, such that as a moveable lid 34 is moved from an open position to aclosed position, the damper 38 is activated and dampens the downwardmovement of the moveable lid 34, described in greater detail below.

With reference to FIG. 2, the base portion 26 can be made from a singlemonolithic piece and/or from separate components connected together. Insome embodiments, the base portion 26 includes a divider portion 40. Thedivider portion 40 can extend from a central area of the base 26. Oneither side of the divider 40, an internal peripheral wall 41 can extendaround a flat, recessed area 42. Each flat, recessed area 42 can beconfigured to receive a container 30, such that a bottom portion of eachcontainer 30 rests flat against the recessed area 42 and is supported bythe recessed area 42. In some embodiments a peripheral wall 44 canextend around the divider 40, internal peripheral wall 41, and recessedareas 42.

With reference to FIG. 3, the lid portion 24 can comprise an interiorperipheral wall 46. The interior peripheral wall 46 can extend around aportion of, or the entire, lid portion 24. In some embodiments theinterior peripheral wall 46 can also extend along a finger-grip regionor regions 48, defined along a side or sides of the lid portion 24. Asdescribed further herein, the finger-grip regions 48 can compriserecessed, open areas along the lid portion 24 which provide room for anoperator to insert a finger or hand when moveable lid 34 is in an openposition, and lift a container 30 upwardly through the lid portion 24,or in other embodiments, lift a liner from within a container 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the baseportion 26 can comprise at least one anti-sliding mechanism 50 (e.g.legs) sized to stably support the trash can assembly 20 on a flooringsurface. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the anti-slidingmechanism 50 can comprise a contact member made of any rubber, or othermaterial. The contact member can be made of a material or can include asurface texture that generates appropriate coefficients of friction withthe typical flooring materials.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the assembly 20 can include one or moredampers 38. The dampers 38 can be any type of dampening deviceincluding, for example, but without limitation, rotary dampeningdevices, friction dampening devices, or fluid damping devices operatingwith liquid or gaseous working fluids. Other types of dampeningmechanisms can also be used.

In some embodiments, the assembly 20 can include at least two dampers 38arranged on opposing sides of the lid support 24 so as to provideindependent dampening against the movement of each of the moveable lids34. The description of the damper 38 set forth below applies to both ofthe dampers 38, although only one damper 38 and its components arespecifically identified below.

With reference to FIG. 4, the damper 38 can be attached to the lidportion 24 in any known manner. In some embodiments, the damper 38 canbe connected to a member or members 52 which extend from a face of thelid portion 24. The damper 38 can be connected to the members 52 withfasteners 54, such as for example small screws. Alternatively, in someembodiments the damper 38 can be integrally formed with the lid portion24.

In some embodiments, the damper 38 can be configured to dampen thedownward movement of a moveable lid 34. As used herein, the “downwardmovement” of the moveable lid 34 corresponds generally to the movementfrom a position of the moveable lid 34 as viewed in FIG. 10 to aposition of the moveable lid 34 as viewed in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 5, the damper 38 can be a fluid type damperoperating with air as the working fluid. In the illustrated embodiment,the damper 38 can include a housing 56. The housing 56 can be mountedanywhere on the assembly 20. Further advantages can be provided where,as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the housing 56 of the damper 38 can bemounted to the lid portion 24. In some embodiments, the housing 56 candefine a cylinder, and can be positioned in an inverted orientation,with the closed end of the cylinder being at the bottom of the damper 38and the open end facing upwardly.

The dampening function of the damper 38 can be achieved by way of theresistance of the flow of a fluid, such as air, into and out of thehousing 56. Additionally, or alternatively, the dampening function ofthe damper 38 can be achieved by way of the resistance of a biasingelement inside the housing 56. This resistance of flow and/or biasingcan generate sufficient damping forces for slowing the closing of themoveable lid 34. Such forces can be large.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 56 can encloseinternal components of the damper 38, and can include a flange orflanges 58. The flanges 58 can be used to connect the damper 38 to thelid support 24. For example, the flanges 58 can include apertures whichcan align with apertures on the members 52, such that fasteners 54 areable to be placed through the apertures on both the flanges 58 andmembers 52, and secure the damper 38 to the lid support 24. This type ofmounting arrangement can provide further benefits stemming from thesymmetry. For example, as noted above, the forces created duringdampening can be large. Thus, a symmetric arrangement of flanges, and/orother mounts, can help maintain desired alignment of components.

The damper 38 can optionally further comprise a biasing element 60. Thebiasing element 60 can comprise a spring, elastic membrane, or othertype of biasing device. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the biasing element 60can be nested within a lower portion of the damper 38, and can beconnected with and/or in contact with an end of the housing 56.

The biasing element 60 can also be connected with and/or in contact witha piston support 62. The piston support 62 can comprise an elementconfigured to slide within the housing 56, and can include a groove,recess, or other area for receiving a seal 64.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the damper 38 can comprise apiston 66, which can extend along a length of the interior of thehousing 56. One end of the piston 66 can be nested inside of orconnected to a portion of the piston support 62, such that as the piston66 is moved towards one end of the housing 56, the piston support 62 isalso moved towards the same end of the housing 56. A portion of thepiston 66 can extend outside of the housing 56, as illustrated in FIG.6, through a piston guide 68.

The piston guide 68 can extend through a receiving area 70 on the lidsupport 24. The receiving area 70 can include an aperture 72. One end ofthe piston 66 can thus extend through both the piston guide 68 andaperture 72.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, in some embodiments the seal 64 cancomprise a lip seal. The seal 64 can be comprised at least in part offlexible, resilient material, and can be configured to operate similarlyto a check valve. Thus, the seal 64 can have any configuration that canprovide a similar function.

The seal 64 can be generally annular in shape, having an inner wall 74and an outer wall 76 connected by a top wall 78. The outer wall 76 caninclude an upper portion 80 that extends generally parallel to an innerwall of the housing 56, and a projecting portion 82 that is biased toextend radially outwardly relative to the upper portion 80. As such, theouter diameter of the seal 64 defined by the upper portion 80 isslightly smaller than the outer diameter of the seal 64 defined by theprojecting portion 82. Additionally, the ramped configuration of theprojecting portion 82 (when in a relaxed state) relative to the upperportion 80 helps to achieve the check valve type functionality of theseal 64.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, in some embodiments the piston 66can be positioned such that its uppermost surface and tip is in aposition in which a piston engaging mechanism 84 of the moveable lid 34contacts the piston 66 prior to the moveable lid 34 reaching its fullyclosed position. For example, the piston engaging mechanism 84 cancomprise a shoulder or extension off of a portion of the moveable lid34, and can further comprise a surface 86 configured to contact the endof the piston 66. When the piston 66 is contacted by the piston engagingmechanism 84, the piston engaging mechanism 84 can force the piston 66down into the housing 56. An air resistance and/or biasing resistance ofthe damper 38 can slow the closing movement of the moveable lid 34 andprevent the moveable lid 34 from impacting the body portion 22 in anundesired manner as the moveable lid 34 moves toward its closedposition. In some embodiments the portion of the piston in contact withthe piston engaging mechanism 84, and/or the piston engaging mechanism84 itself, can further comprise a sound-deadening material.

In some embodiments, as the piston engaging mechanism 84 pushes thepiston 66 down into the housing 56, the relative pressure between theatmosphere acting on the bottom of the piston support 62, and the airtrapped between the top of the piston support 62 and the top of thehousing 56 can oppose the immediate downward motion of the piston 66 asthe piston 66 begins to move downwardly, and thus oppose the downwardmotion of the moveable lid 34.

In some embodiments, the damper 38 can be configured to provide lessresistance to the upward movement of the piston 66 within the housing 56but provide greater resistance against the downward movement of thepiston 66 within the housing 56. This can be accomplished in any knownmanner.

For example, with continued reference to FIG. 6, as the piston 66 andpiston support 62 move upwardly within the housing 56 in the directionof arrow U, air can flow downwardly along the inner walls of the housing56, past the projecting portion 82 of the seal 64. Due to the rampedshape of the projecting portion 82, the pressure generated within theupper portion of the housing 56 above the piston support 62 helpsdeflect the projecting portion 82 radially inwardly, thereby allowingthe air to pass thereby without generating a larger resistance.

However, when the piston 66 and piston support 62 move downwardly withinthe housing 56, the air pressure in the space above the piston support62 drops relative to the pressure of the atmosphere, thereby causing theprojecting portion 82 to further expand against the inner walls of thehousing 56. This generates additional resistance to the flow of air intothe space above the piston support 62. As such, the seal 64 generatesmore resistance to the downward movement of the piston 66 than againstthe upward movement of the piston 66.

In some embodiments, the seal 64 can be lubricated with graphite powder.Such lubrication with graphite powder and the construction of dampers,which can be applied to the present dampers 38, are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,513,811 and 6,726,219, the entire contents of both of which,including the specific portions including the descriptions of damperdesign and lubrication with graphite powder, are hereby incorporated byreference. Additionally, the size of the damper 38 can be chosen by thedesigner to provide the desired functionality and performance.

For example, the height of the housing 56, which can determine thelength of the maximum vertical movement of the piston 66 within thehousing 56, can be chosen to accommodate the maximum desired verticaldisplacement of the piston support 62 within the housing 56.Additionally, the diameter of the housing 56 and the type of seal 64used can affect the resistance generated during the downward movement ofthe piston 66. Thus, these dimensions can be chosen to provide thedesired dampening characteristics.

Further advantages can also be achieved where the size of the housing 56and the position at which the housing 56 is mounted within the assembly20 can be adjusted to provide desired characteristics of the motion ofthe moveable lid 34 during its closing movement. For example, if thehousing 56 is mounted in a position where the piston support 62 isspaced excessively far from the top of the housing 56 when the piston 66is at its maximum vertical position, the moveable lid 34 can initiallymove too quickly from its fully opened position toward its closedposition. Such an initial quick movement can cause the moveable lid 34to bounce during its downward movement.

However, if the mounting position of the housing 56 is adjusted, or thedamper 38 in general is adjusted, so that the piston support 62 isclosely spaced relative to the top of the housing 56 when the piston 66is at its maximum upper position, the damper 38 can provide additionaldampening, at least initially, thereby providing a slower, moreaesthetically pleasing motion.

For example, by adjusting the position of the housing 56 and/orconfiguration of the damper 38 to space the piston support 62 near thetop of the housing 56 when the piston 66 is at its maximum position, themoveable lid 34 can begin to move very slowly initially, and slowlyaccelerate to an acceptably slow closing speed, such that the moveablelid 34 does not make an excessive loud noise when it finally comes torest. In some embodiments, the spacing can be equal to or less thanabout 10% of the total movement of the piston 66. The initial movementof the piston 66 can be further slowed at a spacing of about 5% or lessof the total movement of the piston 66. Finally, mounting the housing 56and/or adjusting the damper 38 such that the spacing is about 4% or lessof the total movement of the piston 66 can provide further slowing, andthus achieve a more aesthetically pleasing movement.

A designer can choose the appropriate housing, piston, and sealcombination to achieve the desired closing speed. Thus, in someembodiments, at least one of the moveable lid 34, housing 56, piston 66,piston support 62, and seal 64 can be configured to achieve the desiredclosing speed. In some embodiments, for example, but without limitation,the above parameters can be chosen to achieve a closing speed of the lidof about 5 seconds from the moment the center of gravity of a moveablelid 34 passes over a pivot point and gravity begins to pull the moveablelid 34 closed.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the biasing element 60 canadditionally, or alternatively, provide dampening support in the damper38. For example, as the piston 66 and piston support 62 are moved in adownward direction by the force of the piston engagement mechanism 84pressing on the piston 66, the biasing element 60 can apply pressure tothe piston support 62. This pressure can act to resist quick downwardmovements of the piston support 62 and piston 66 within the housing 56,and dampen the movement of the moveable lid 34 as the moveable lid 34moves toward a closed position. In some embodiments, the damper 38 doesnot include a biasing element 60, and only includes the seal 64. In someembodiments the damper does not include the seal 64, and only includesthe biasing element 60. In some embodiments both elements are includedto provide damping effect. In some embodiments, the biasing element 60only acts to push the piston 66 towards a pre-determined position,and/or highest vertical position, and the seal 64 acts to dampen themoveable lid 34 movement.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the biasing element 60 can bea coiled spring. The spring can be pre-tensioned, such that when themoveable lid 34 is in a fully opened position, the biasing element 60 ispushing upwardly against the piston support 62, and pushing the top ofthe piston 66 through the piston guide 68 so that the top of the piston66 extends well past the wall 88 of the lid support member 32. In someembodiments, the fully opened position comprises the moveable lid 34being at about a 90 degree angle relative to the base portion 26. Insome embodiments, the fully opened position comprises any position inwhich the moveable lid 34 does not contact the piston engaging mechanism84.

When the moveable lid 34 is moved down towards a closed positions (e.g.when gravity is pulling the moveable lid 34 down), the surface 86 of thepiston engaging mechanism 84 can contact the top of the piston 66 anddrive the piston 66 down through the piston guide 68 and further intothe housing 56. As the piston 66, and piston support 62, are movedfurther into the housing 56, the biasing element 60 can resist themotion of the piston support 62, such that the speed of the moveable lid34 as it is closing is reduced prior to the moveable lid 34 reaching afully closed position. In some embodiments, the fully closed positioncan be considered the position achieved when the moveable lid 34contacts a portion of the lid support member 32. In some embodiments,the fully closed position can correspond to when the moveable lid 34 issubstantially closed, but not contacting the lid support member 32.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 56 describedabove can be made from a material commercially available under the tradename Acetal Delrin with 10% Teflon added. The piston 66 can also be madefrom the material known as Acetal Delrin. Further, the seal 62 can bemade from graphite impregnated nitrile. Other materials can also beused.

The assembly 20 can comprise additional or alternative dampingmechanisms apart from the damper 38 described above. For example, thelid portion 24 can be configured to utilize the air flow generatedduring a closing movement of a lid 34 to further dampen the closingmovement.

For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the moveable lids 34can have a concave configuration and profile, as illustrated for examplein FIGS. 1 and 2. This concave profile can generate or enhance ascooping action of the lid which can help, at least temporarily, confinewithin the assembly 20 when the lid 34 is moved from an open position toa closed position. For example, a moveable lid 34 formed in a curved,concave profile can act like a cup, trapping air underneath the moveablelid 34 as the moveable lid 34 moved downward. This trapping of airunderneath the moveable lid 34 and/or inside the body portion 22 cancreate air resistance to downward movement of the moveable lid 34 fromthe open position to the closed position. Thus, the concave nature ofthe moveable lid 34 can act to dampen movement of the moveable lid 34 inat least one direction.

Additionally or alternatively, and with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, themoveable lid 34 can comprise a top edge 90, and the lid support member32 can comprise a top edge 92. An external peripheral wall 94 adjacentthe top edge 90 can extend down towards the damper 38. The externalperipheral wall 94 can extend around at least a portion of the entireperiphery of the moveable lid 34. In some embodiments, the wall 94 caninclude cutouts, notches, or gaps if desired.

The lid support member 32 can include an internal peripheral wall 96adjacent the top edge 92, the internal peripheral wall 96 extendingaround at least a portion of the periphery of the lid support member 32.The internal peripheral wall 96 can have a shape or configurationcomplementary to that of the peripheral wall 94. In some embodiments,the peripheral wall 96 can include cutouts, notches, or gaps if desired.As described above, the lid support member 32 can further include alower wall 88. The lower wall 88 and peripheral wall 96 together canform a shoulder, with the peripheral wall 94 sitting or nesting withinthe shoulder when the moveable lid 34 is in a closed position.

In some embodiments, the fit and/or tight spacing between the peripheralwall 94 and the shoulder defined by walls 88 and 96 can form a generallyair resistant seal between the lid support member 32 and moveable lid34. However, it is not necessary for the above-described fit to form anair resistant seal. The contact and or close spacing between theperipheral walls 94 and 96 can be sufficiently continuous to resist theflow of air therebetween to achieve the desired dampening effect.

For example, as the moveable lid 34 moves from an open position to aclosed position, the peripheral wall 94 of the moveable lid 34 can moveinto close proximity to the wall 96 of the lid support member 32, and aslight compression of the air within the containers 30 and/or bodyportion 22 can be generated. When the moveable lid 34 is in its openposition, the air within the body portion 22, existing within and aboveany trash that may be contained in the containers 30 or liners insidethe containers 30, is at atmospheric pressure.

As the moveable lid 34 closes, a positive pressure can be created in theassembly 20, and air underneath the moveable lid 34, including but notlimited to air near the wall 88 and air within the body portion 22, isurged out of the assembly 20 in order for the moveable lid 34 to closecompletely. However, because of the tight fit between the peripheralwall 94 and the peripheral wall 96, some or all of the air can beretained, briefly retained, or temporarily trapped, thus providing atleast some air resistance to downward movement of the moveable lid 34.As gravity, or any other force, continues to push the moveable lid 34toward a closed position, this “trapped” air can leak out through thesmall space between the peripheral wall 94 and peripheral wall 96, orthrough other apertures or openings in the assembly 20. Theconfiguration of the peripheral walls 94 and 96 can thus act as an airguide, guiding the trapped air slowly out of the assembly whiledampening the movement of the moveable lid 34.

The clearance between the walls 94 and 96 can be altered. For example,the configuration and/or size of the walls 94 and 96 can vary, such thatthe amount of time the walls spend moving past one another, or in closeproximity to one another, can change. In some embodiments, an increasedheight of one or both walls can increase the time the moveable lid 34 isdampened, thus slowing down the movement of the moveable lid 34 to aneven greater degree, or for a greater amount of time. Changing the shapeof the walls 94 and 96, or introducing other components or elementsalong the periphery of the moveable lid 34 and/or lid support member 32,can further alter the dampening effect.

By providing additional dampening, in additional to the dampeningprovided by the damper 38, can provide further advantages. For example,because the air “trapping” technique noted above, begins to act just asthe lid nears the fully closed position. This is also the point at whichthe torque created by the weight of the lids 34, pivoting the lids 34toward their closed position, is the greatest. This is because as thelids 34 move from their fully opened position toward their openposition, the centers of gravity of the lids 34 move from points nearlydirectly above the associated hinges, outwardly. As the lids 34 reach ahorizontal position, their respective centers of gravity are at theirmaximum horizontal spacing from the axes of the hinges. As such, thegreatest torques generated by the weights of the lids 34 are generatedas the lids 34 reach their fully closed positions. Thus, by providingadditional dampening as the lid nears its fully closed position helpscompensate for this additional torque. Further, modifying the dampers 38to provide quickly increasing damping forces can be difficult.

With reference to FIGS. 7-10, another embodiment of a receptacleassembly 120 is illustrated. The assembly 120 can be similar to theassembly 20. Therefore, similar components of the assembly 120 arereferenced by the same reference numeral as the corresponding componentsin the assembly 20.

The assembly 120 can comprise a lid portion 24, an upper body portion128, and a base portion 126. The lid portion 24 can comprise a lidsupport member 32, moveable lids 34, and handles 36, as described above.In some embodiments, the lid portion 24 can rest on or be supported bythe upper body portion 128.

The upper body portion 128 can comprise a single outer shell 31, whichcan receive the containers 30 as illustrated in FIG. 10. In someembodiments, outer surfaces of outer shell 31 can be substantially flushwith outer surfaces of the lid support member 32 of the lid portion 24.

With reference to FIG. 8, the body 128 can further comprise at least onegripping feature 98. For example, the gripping feature 98 can comprise arecessed surface or surfaces along the outer shell 31. The grippingfeature 98 can create an area large enough to accommodate an operator'shand, such that the operator can grip the body 128 along the grippingfeature 98 and lift the entire assembly 120 off of the ground to betransported from one location to another.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the base portion 126 can comprise atleast one anti-sliding mechanism 50 along a bottom surface. As describedabove, the anti-sliding mechanisms 50 can inhibit unwanted movement ofthe assembly 120.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 10, in some embodiments the upper bodyportion 28, 128 or lid portion 24 can include an upper support member ormembers. For example, and with reference to FIG. 10, in some embodimentsthe upper support member can comprise at least a portion of the lidsupport member 32. The upper support member or members can be mademonolithically with the shell or shells 30 or lid portion 24, or can bemade from separate components attached to the shell or shells 30 or lidportion 24.

The upper support member, such as for example lid support member 32, canbe configured to support a container 30 within the interior cavity orcavities defined by the shell or shells 31. In some embodiments, theupper support member can include a shoulder configured to support anoutwardly extending lip 102 of the container 30. As such, the liner orcontainers 30 can hang within the shell or shells 31 from the uppersupport member. However, in other configurations, the liner orcontainers 30 can rest upon an interior surface of the upper bodyportion 28, 128, lid portion 24, or the base 26, 126. In such aconfiguration, the upper support member, while it does not support theweight of the liner or containers 30, can provide for alignment of theliner or containers 30 within the body of the assembly 20. In someembodiments, the container or containers 30 can further comprise a bagretainer 104. The bag retainer 104 can be used to securely hold aplastic, or other type material, bag within the container 30. In someembodiments, the bag retainer 104 can comprise an elongate slot with aplurality of fingers nested together in a side-by-side relationship. Inother embodiments, the bag retainer 104 can comprise openings, such as acircle or oval.

With reference to FIG. 10, when a container 30 is resting within theshell or shells 31, the outwardly extending lip 102 can extend adjacentthe finger-grip regions 48 such that the finger-grip regions 48 providean opening for an operator to insert a finger or hand, and lift thecontainer 30 out of the shell 31.

As with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the assembly 120 cancomprise at least one damper. For example, the damper can comprise adamper 38 such as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. The damper can comprise apiston 66, shown in FIG. 10, extending through a piston guide 68. Themoveable lid 34 can comprise a piston engaging mechanism 84, which canmove towards and contact the piston 66 when the moveable lid 34 is movedtoward a closed position.

Additionally, the lid support member 32 can comprise a top edge 92. Thelid support member 32 can include an internal peripheral wall 96adjacent the top edge 92, the internal peripheral wall 96 extendingaround at least a portion of the entire periphery of the lid supportmember 32. The internal peripheral wall 96 can have a shape orconfiguration complementary to that of a peripheral wall 94 (not shown)on the moveable lid 34. The lid support member 32 can further include alower wall 88. As described above, the lower wall 88 and peripheral wall96 can together form a shoulder, with the peripheral wall 94 of themoveable lid 34 sitting or resting tightly within the shoulder when themoveable lid 34 is in a closed position.

As described above, the fit and/or tight spacing between the peripheralwall 94 of the moveable lid 34 and the shoulder defined by walls 88 and96 can form a generally air resistant seal between the lid supportmember 32 and moveable lid 34. However, it is not necessary for theabove-described fit to form an air resistant seal. The contact and orclose spacing between the peripheral walls 94 and 96 can be sufficientlycontinuous to sufficiently resist the flow of air therebetween toachieve the desired dampening effect.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 10, in some embodiments the moveable lidor lids 34 can be biased toward the closed and resting positions,respectively, by way of any known device or configuration. For example,the moveable lid 34 can open less than 90 degrees with respect to thebase portion 26 and, thus, the weight of the moveable lid 34 can besufficient to move the moveable lid 34 toward the closed position whenno force other than gravity is acting on the moveable lid 34.Optionally, springs can be added to the assembly 20, in any knownconfiguration, to bias the moveable lid 34 toward the closed position.In some embodiments, once the moveable lids 34 are in an open position,they can remain in an open position until an external force, such as forexample an operator's hand, moves the moveable lids 34 toward a closedposition. Initial movement of the moveable lids 34 toward the closedposition can cause the centers of gravity of the moveable lids 34 topass over a pivot point, thus allowing gravity alone to move themoveable lids 34 the rest of the way toward a final closed position.

In some embodiments, the moveable lid or lids 34 can be moved by use ofa pedal actuating mechanism or mechanisms. For example, the receptacleassembly 20 or 120 can include one or more pedal actuating mechanisms asdescribed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0196874, U.S. Pat. No.7,656,109, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0182551, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/399,828, U.S. Patent Publication No.2006/0226149, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0237234, the entiretyof each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions havebeen shown and described in detail, other modifications, which arewithin the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to thoseof skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplatedthat various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific featuresand aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within thescope of the inventions. It should be understood that various featuresand aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with orsubstituted for one another in order to form varying modes of thedisclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at leastsome of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited bythe particular disclosed embodiments described above.

1. A trashcan can comprising: a body defining an interior space, thebody comprising a base portion and an upper body portion; a lid portionsupported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising a lidsupport having an interior peripheral wall and two lids moveably mountedto the lid support so as to be independently moveable between open andclosed positions, at least one of the lids having a generally concaveprofile; a first motion damper connected to the lid portion, and asecond motion damper connected to the lid portion, wherein the first andsecond motion dampers are configured to dampen a movement of at leastone of the two lids from the open position to the closed position;wherein at least one of the two lids comprises an exterior peripheralwall, the interior peripheral wall of the lid support and the exteriorperipheral wall of the at least one lid being juxtaposed relative oneanother when the at least one lid is in the closed position so as totrap air within the lid portion and dampen lid movement when the atleast one lid is moving from the open position to the closed position.2. A trashcan comprising: a body defining an interior space, the bodycomprising a base portion and an upper body portion; a lid portionsupported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising a lidsupport and at least one lid mounted to the lid support, the at leastone lid being independently moveable between open and closed positions;at least one motion damper comprising a housing secured to the lidsupport and further comprising a moveable piston at least partiallyhoused within the housing; wherein the at least one lid comprises asurface for contacting and driving the moveable piston as the lid ismoved towards the closed position.
 3. The trashcan of claim 2, whereinthe housing is rigidly fastened to a lower wall of the lid support. 4.The trashcan of claim 2, wherein the at least one motion dampercomprises first and second motion dampers, and wherein the at least onelid comprises first and second lids.
 5. The trashcan of claim 2, whereinthe at least one motion damper is configured to provide less resistanceto an upward movement of the piston within the housing but providegreater resistance against a downward movement of the piston within thehousing.
 6. The trashcan of claim 2, wherein the at least one lid isconfigured to move towards the closed position for a first predetermineddistance before engaging the moveable piston.
 7. The trashcan of claim2, wherein the at least one motion damper comprises a piston supportconfigured to support one end of the piston inside the housing, abiasing element engaged with the piston support, and a seal engaged withthe piston support, the seal having a flexible body configured tofacilitate movement of the piston support in one direction within thehousing, but inhibit movement of the piston support in an oppositedirection.
 8. The trashcan of claim 7, wherein the seal comprises anupper portion and a flexible projecting portion that is biased to extendradially outwardly relative to the upper portion.
 9. The trashcan ofclaim 7, wherein the piston has a predetermined range of linear movementwithin the housing, and wherein the piston support is closely spacedrelative to a top of the housing when the piston is at a maximum upperposition.
 10. The trashcan of claim 9, wherein the distance between thepiston support and the top of the housing is approximately less than 10%of the predetermined range of movement of the piston.
 11. The trashcanof claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a piston guide surrounding thepiston.
 12. The trashcan of claim 2, wherein the at least one lid is apedal-actuated lid.
 13. A trashcan comprising: a body defining aninterior space, the body comprising a base portion and an upper bodyportion; a lid portion supported by the upper body portion, the lidportion comprising at least one pivotable lid having a generally concaveprofile, the pivotable lid being independently moveable between open andclosed positions such that the generally concave profile of the lidtraps air within the interior space when the at least one lid moves fromthe open position to the closed position.
 14. The trashcan of claim 13,wherein the generally concave profile gives the lid a curved surfaceconfigured to act like a cup, trapping air underneath the lid as the lidmoves towards the closed position.
 15. A trashcan comprising: a bodydefining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and anupper body portion; a lid portion supported by the upper body portion,the lid portion comprising at least one lid moveably mounted to the lidportion so as to be independently moveable between open and closedpositions, the lid portion comprising an interior peripheral wall, andthe at least one lid comprising an exterior peripheral wall; wherein theinterior and exterior peripheral walls are positioned adjacent oneanother when the at least one lid is in the closed position so as totrap air within the lid portion and dampen lid movement when the atleast one lid is moving from the open position to the closed position.16. The trashcan of claim 15, wherein the interior peripheral wall has ashape or configuration complementary to that of the exterior peripheralwall, such that the interior peripheral wall is generally parallel tothe exterior peripheral wall at any point along the lid portion.
 17. Thetrashcan of claim 15, wherein the interior peripheral wall comprisesnotches configured to allow air inside the trashcan container to escapeas a lid moves towards a closed position.
 18. The trashcan of claim 15,wherein the lid portion further comprises a lower wall, the lower walland interior peripheral wall forming a shoulder for receiving theexterior peripheral wall of the lid.
 19. The trashcan of claim 15,wherein the spacing between the exterior peripheral wall and theshoulder is configured to form a generally air-resistant seal betweenthe lid and remainder of the lid portion.
 20. A trashcan comprising: abody defining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion andan upper body portion; a lid portion supported by the upper bodyportion, the lid portion comprising at least one lid moveably mounted tothe lid portion so as to be independently moveable between open andclosed positions, the lid portion further comprising an air guideconfigured to guide air downwardly into the interior space as the atleast one lid moves from the open position towards the closed position.21. The trashcan of claim 20, wherein the air guide comprises a curvedsurface on the lid.